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Conversation 496-005

TapeTape 496StartMonday, May 10, 1971 at 12:46 PMEndMonday, May 10, 1971 at 12:48 PMTape start time00:22:22Tape end time00:25:20ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinated legislative strategy regarding key political figures, specifically Gerald Ford and Wilbur Mills, concerning upcoming policy or administrative appointments. They discussed the necessity of securing Ford’s public support and maneuvering Mills into a position where he would be compelled to endorse or accept their proposal. The conversation focused on tactical timing and leveraging political pressure to ensure the desired outcome before formalizing the plan.

Legislative StrategyGerald FordWilbur MillsPolitical AppointmentsWhite House Coordination
AudioNARA Description

On May 10, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:46 pm to 12:48 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 496-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 496-005

Date: May 10, 1971
Time: 12:46 pm - 12:48 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with John D. Ehrlichman

     [Unintelligible]

     Schedule
          -President's breakfast meeting, May 10, 1971
          -Gerald R. Ford
               -A position
          -Wilbur D. Mills
               -Agriculture
                -Nelson A. Rockefeller
               -Ford
               -Position

Ehrlichman left at 12:48 pm
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I'm sure that...
I'm sure you'll go back to the real question of this device.
When do you all sign it?
Well, I assume maybe you can.
But all those people at the breakfast tent at 5 or 5 o'clock say, it don't seem like a good time to do it.
I'll see if we can move it out of court.
Let me sit with him.
Just to make it colder.
All right.
I'd say, look, we've got this, but it's...
It goes to this, this, this, this, and this, and this, and this.
And then if you could get over to Jerry in advance and say, now, Jerry, I want you to come out strongly for us, and we can get this, we can take it, but let's put those in the spot before he offers it.
I think I called Jerry and told him that there aren't a lot of things that went on.
If you could say to Jerry, he could say,
I'm afraid Nils will go first on this.
This is a damn good thing.
If I get Nils on the spot, Nils turns it down.
All right.
Okay.
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